Who Speaks for Our Profession? Military and Strategic Studies at the USAF Academy
Abstract
War is our business. To do it well, our graduates must have a firm understanding of military power and its place within the American Republic. Since the 1954 founding of the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), the study of the context, theory, and application of military power has remained central to the institution's mission. Indeed, one may argue such expertise is the essence of a military academy education. Nonetheless, throughout the Academy's existence, arguments have raged over the disciplinary content and organizational ownership of this essence. Just as the founders, leaders, and scholars of the Academy sought to blend officer education and training, the earliest stirrings of the Department of Military and Strategic Studies tried to reconcile the theoretical aspects of military power with practical applications. Today, this Department is one of only a handful at North American undergraduate or graduate institutions offering an accredited disciplinary major focused on understanding the theory and application of military power regardless of time and context. Given the importance of military power to American security, the broader scholarly enterprise warrants castigation for its neglect.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA559058
Entities
People
- Steven Pomeroy
- Thomas Drohan
Organizations
- United States Air Force Academy